Arabella Stanton, a rising talent from London’s West End, has been cast as Hermione Granger in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television reboot. She’ll star alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Though the announcement included all three leads, Stanton quickly became the subject of widespread attention and curiosity across fan circles.
Stanton is not new to the stage. From 2023 to 2024, she played the lead role in Matilda: The Musical in London, earning praise for her stage presence and emotional depth. Her casting as Hermione, a role first made famous by Emma Watson, positions her for a potentially career-defining breakout.
Harry Potter TV Series: A fresh start for a familiar story
The new series, produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and Brontë Film and TV, will adapt each of J.K. Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books into its own season. This approach promises a more expansive and detailed exploration of the beloved universe.
Arabella Stanton joins a cast of largely fresh faces. Dominic McLaughlin, who will portray Harry Potter, previously appeared in the upcoming Sky comedy Grow starring Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Alastair Stout, cast as Ron, has no prior acting credits, making this his on-screen debut.
Over 32,000 children auditioned for the lead role of Harry, with casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann reviewing up to 1,000 audition tapes per day.
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod in a joint statement. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.”
A divided fandom
Reactions from fans have been mixed. While some expressed enthusiasm about seeing Hogwarts through a new lens, others struggled with the idea of replacing the original trio.
“New trio means new trauma for my childhood nostalgia,” wrote one fan. Another user posted, “Dear god, please protect these children and especially that little girl from the deluge of hate they’re going to get.”
Some are taking a more optimistic view. “Please be good so my nephew and niece can enjoy the magical experience like I did when I was a kid,” one person commented. Notably, the official HBO Instagram post announcing the cast had its comments section turned off — possibly in anticipation of a heated fan response.
Big names join the faculty
Alongside the young trio, the series has cast well-known actors in key Hogwarts roles. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape. Janet McTeer will play Professor McGonagall, and comedian Nick Frost will bring Rubeus Hagrid to life.
Other additions include Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirinus Quirrell. These casting choices suggest the show is aiming to balance new talent with established names to bring both energy and credibility to the reboot.
Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner and writer, while Mark Mylod — known for directing episodes of Succession — will direct multiple episodes. Executive producers include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, the original film series producer.
The series marks HBO’s latest foray into high-budget fantasy storytelling, and expectations are sky-high.
Arabella Stanton and her co-stars carry the hopes of both a loyal fanbase and a curious new generation. Whether they enchant or polarise, one thing is certain: the magic of Hogwarts is stirring again.
Stanton is not new to the stage. From 2023 to 2024, she played the lead role in Matilda: The Musical in London, earning praise for her stage presence and emotional depth. Her casting as Hermione, a role first made famous by Emma Watson, positions her for a potentially career-defining breakout.
Harry Potter TV Series: A fresh start for a familiar story
The new series, produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and Brontë Film and TV, will adapt each of J.K. Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books into its own season. This approach promises a more expansive and detailed exploration of the beloved universe.
Arabella Stanton joins a cast of largely fresh faces. Dominic McLaughlin, who will portray Harry Potter, previously appeared in the upcoming Sky comedy Grow starring Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Alastair Stout, cast as Ron, has no prior acting credits, making this his on-screen debut.
Over 32,000 children auditioned for the lead role of Harry, with casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann reviewing up to 1,000 audition tapes per day.
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod in a joint statement. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.”
A divided fandom
Reactions from fans have been mixed. While some expressed enthusiasm about seeing Hogwarts through a new lens, others struggled with the idea of replacing the original trio.
“New trio means new trauma for my childhood nostalgia,” wrote one fan. Another user posted, “Dear god, please protect these children and especially that little girl from the deluge of hate they’re going to get.”
Some are taking a more optimistic view. “Please be good so my nephew and niece can enjoy the magical experience like I did when I was a kid,” one person commented. Notably, the official HBO Instagram post announcing the cast had its comments section turned off — possibly in anticipation of a heated fan response.
Big names join the faculty
Alongside the young trio, the series has cast well-known actors in key Hogwarts roles. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape. Janet McTeer will play Professor McGonagall, and comedian Nick Frost will bring Rubeus Hagrid to life.
Other additions include Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirinus Quirrell. These casting choices suggest the show is aiming to balance new talent with established names to bring both energy and credibility to the reboot.
Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner and writer, while Mark Mylod — known for directing episodes of Succession — will direct multiple episodes. Executive producers include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, the original film series producer.
The series marks HBO’s latest foray into high-budget fantasy storytelling, and expectations are sky-high.
Arabella Stanton and her co-stars carry the hopes of both a loyal fanbase and a curious new generation. Whether they enchant or polarise, one thing is certain: the magic of Hogwarts is stirring again.
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